Angels of Destiny seeks to empower girls

Saturday

Mar 16, 2019 at 5:56 PMMar 17, 2019 at 8:34 AM

More than 100 girls attended the event Saturday, taking part in mini-facials, mini-manicures, pedicures, and Do It Yourself booths with crafts.

WINTER HAVEN — Saturday morning found 36-year-old Dolmecia Fleming a long way from the Salvation Army soup kitchen on Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland where she stood in line as a child with her mother for a bowl of soup.

Fleming, now an analyst at Publix, was surrounded by girls in the Angels of Destiny empowerment ministry as they buzzed around the gymnasium during Saturday's Pamper Me Pretty event held at the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center on Avenue T. The room erupted in all things beautiful: music, makeup, games, glitter, pictures, prizes and lots of food.

"The purpose of Pamper Me Pretty and the services provided is to transform their consciousness through their values and attitudes, build character, and improve access to resources on topics such as bullying and human trafficking," said Fleming.

"I was once that little girl who was homeless," said Fleming. "I was once that little girl who was hungry."

A teenage mom who gave birth to her first child at 15 years old, Fleming said that she and her cousin, who passed away in 2015, had hopes that other girls would not face the same struggles they did growing up.

A child raised in what she describes as "disadvantaged" neighborhoods, she said she decided that her future would not be determined by what was in front of her at the time.

On Saturday, girls were treated to a day of pampering, and it was a chance for local entrepreneurs to network, as well as give back to the community.

Makeup artist Zanjia Kingcade, who was setting up her glitters, eyeshadow, lip glosses and blush, said her artistry is an outlet for her to express who she is and help the girls as well.

"I was in an abusive relationship once," she said, adding that doing makeup helped repair her self-esteem. "This is a great day, such a wonderful thing," she said, noting that girls should be taught not to let anyone abuse them. "You have to have standards," she said.

Kingcade said she was so impressed by the event that she sponsored a few girls for the day.

Angels of Destiny started with Back to School bags a few years ago, said Fleming. That grew to supplying girls with school uniforms and other supplies.

"So that their self-esteem wasn't defined by what they didn't have," she said.

Then the group grew from five girls to 50 girls.

Last year's Back to School event was productive as local hair salons sponsored 50 girls with hairstyles for school, provided they wrote an essay first regarding their past school year, what they learned and how they were going to improve the following year. More than 170 backpacks filled with supplies were provided that day, and food was served to more than 250 people.

When Fleming's cousin died, she said she got discouraged and almost quit Angels of Destiny.

"I had to pick it back up because I realized that these girls still needed us," she said.

And there have been many stories to confirm that, she said.

One that stands out is a young girl who dressed in skimpy clothes, but seemed to be hiding a lot of pain.

"I was in Lakeland at an event, and she was just seeking attention," said Fleming. "As time went by, she was able to open up to me and explain to me, 'Miss Dolmecia, I do this because I am being molested. I am doing this because I am only 16, but I have had two abortions.' That story right there, once I was done with her, not even a year later, she had hope. Now, I can see her looking like a young lady like she should look like.

"I would not have been able to save her life had I not went through what I went through," Fleming adds.

Fleming, mother to two boys and one girl, is writing a book about her life, called "Who will listen to the little girl cry?"

"As adults, we are listening to one another. But what about that little girl that has faced so many dramatic things in her life that need to come out, is anyone listening to that? I want to be that one who will listen to the little girl cry," she said.

More than 100 girls attended the event Saturday, taking part in mini-facials, mini-manicures, pedicures, and Do It Yourself booths with crafts. The gymnasium was fully decorated in bright pink colors, with lighted rose centerpieces and party balloons.

Fourteen-year-old Deandrea Davis of Bartow said what she enjoyed most about the event was how pretty the gymnasium was decorated. "I have never been to something like this," she said, smiling.

Dannica Campbell brought her daughter, 9-year-old Kennadi, in hopes it would help her self-esteem.

"I struggled with self-esteem," said Campbell. "I want her to accomplish her destiny, love people, and give back to her community."

The next event organized by Angels of Destiny Inc. will take place in May, when a Mother and Daughter tea at a local women's shelter will take place.

Kathy Leigh Berkowitz can be reached at kberkowitz@theledger.com or at 863-802-7558. Follow her on Twitter @kberkowitzthel1.

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